An expanded Operation Shanela has been initiated to intensify law enforcement visibility and boost safety on the ground in Ekurhuleni following the discovery of nine bodies amid investigations into a spate of killings of women on the East Rand.
This, according to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide co-chairperson, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The IMC briefed the media in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon on the actions the government is taking in response to the murders.
The expanded operation translates into the incorporation of municipal metro police forces to enforce bylaws, tackle the illegal sale of liquor and drugs, and reinforce border security.
On a local level, the City of Ekurhuleni will “intensify grass cutting and debushing of open spaces and clearing of illegal dumping sites in line with the Clean Cities and Towns” programme.
“In addition, due to the urgency of the situation, GCIS is redirecting the Love Your Street campaign, which involves the mobilisation of communities to participate in keeping their environment clean and promote shared responsibility for neighbourhood safety.
“The Love Your Street campaign encourages communities and municipalities to clean, maintain and improve local environments, including addressing overgrown grass and illegal dumping. Love Your Street campaign does not remove the responsibility for reliable refuse removal, clearing of open spaces and keeping open spaces properly lit from municipalities,” Chikunga explained.
Businesses are also urged to work with government and do their part.
“Shopping centres, transport facilities, entertainment establishments and other businesses operating in public spaces should ensure that lighting, security systems, emergency procedures and surveillance infrastructure are functional.
“Most importantly, businesses should cooperate promptly with police requests for information or security footage that may assist an investigation. In this regard, the IMC condemns in the most severe terms the GBVF Sandton reported incident, where a man has been recorded threatening women for rejecting his advances.
“The IMC is calling on the suspect to hand himself over to the nearest police station as a matter of urgency; however, the law will find him,” Chikunga noted.
The Minister also commended the swift arrest – with the assistance of taxi drivers – of an e-hailing driver who allegedly raped a 17-year-old child.
“This is the type of community leadership that our country needs. The IMC has learnt with grave concern of attempts to interfere with police investigations, and the law will take its course on interference with justice.
“Law enforcement officials and all institutions receiving complaints of gender-based violence have a responsibility to respond promptly, professionally and sensitively. Every report must be treated seriously, properly investigated and referred to the appropriate support services.
“The IMC appeals to men and boys to become active partners in ending violence against women and children. Men must challenge harmful behaviour, reject misogyny, teach boys to respect women and girls, and report abuse wherever it occurs. Silence, indifference and the protection of perpetrators allow violence to continue,” Chikunga noted.
Do your part
Chikunga emphasised that government’s actions alone are not enough, describing communities as “essential partners in preventing gender-based violence and femicide, supporting investigations and creating safer public spaces.”
“Residents must remain vigilant and report suspicious conduct, threats, harassment, missing persons and incidents of violence to the police without delay.
“The IMC calls on community policing forums, ward committees, street committees, traditional and faith-based organisations, civil society formations, institutions of higher learning, schools, businesses and neighbourhood associations to strengthen their coordination with local policing structures.
“These formations should help communities identify safety concerns, improve reporting mechanisms and connect victims and survivors with appropriate protection, psychosocial, health and legal-support services,” the Minister said.
A core pillar of the IMC’s focus lies on active male engagement and youth education.
The committee noted that men and boys must be systematically mobilised to become active partners in shifting societal norms.
“Community, sporting, workplace, educational and faith-based programmes should promote positive models of masculinity, respect for women and girls, non-violent conflict resolution and accountability.
“Men must challenge harmful attitudes, reject misogyny, refuse to protect perpetrators and speak out when they witness abusive or threatening behaviour. Parents and caregivers also have a responsibility to teach children that violence, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable,” Chikunga said.
The Minister registered the IMC’s concern that despite the strengthening of legislation and interventions, the country “continues to experience unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence and femicide.”
“The National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remains the country’s collective framework for preventing violence, strengthening the criminal justice response, supporting victims and survivors, and addressing the social and economic conditions that enable abuse.
“We need all hands-on deck on a sustained and coordinated action by government, law-enforcement agencies, civil society, business, communities and individuals. Gender-based violence and femicide are not private or women’s issues. They are societal crimes that demand collective responsibility and decisive action,” Chikunga concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
